Animal-trap.



Y. A. INDAHL.

ANIMAL TRAP.

lfgm

APPLICATION PILD 11213.24, 1911.

Patemfed sept. 5,1911'.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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VICTOR A. INDAHL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

Speoieation of Letters Patent.

rarement sept. 5, ieri.

Application ed February 24, 1911., Serial No. 610,507..

, small animals such as rats and mice, and capable of automatically setting itselfl after an operation thereof, whereby a considerable number of animals maybe captured before l wire mesh covering it requires attention. The invention consists in the novel con-1 struction and arrangement of parts'all as will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. My invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which, 'ff I Figure 1 is a front elevation of an animaltrap embodying my invention showing the cover thereof in an open position, Fig. 2 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1 but showing the cover closed, Fig. 3 is a top plan view, the top being removed for clearness of illustration, and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of that pdrtion of the animal-trap shown in Fig.y 3. fThe preferred form of construction of my invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a rectangular casing 1 having a rectangular opening 2 and designed in practice to be arranged over a bucket, tank, or other receptacle 3 partially filled with water for the purpose o drown ing the captured animals. The casing 1 is provided with a stationary end wall Il having a wire mesh covering 5 to which is attached bait 6 by means of a hook 7 for the purpose of alluring the animals into the trap. Pivoted to the casing 1 by meansof hinges 8 is a cover comprising a frame 9 having a 10, the latter being provided in order that animals. caught in the trap may be rendered visible. The hinged cover is of approximately the saine size as the casing 1 and is adapted to seat thereon as shown in Fig. 2, the end wall 11 of saidl shallbe so' designed as' 'icover inclosing and .being adjacent to the 55 stationary wall 4 when the cover isl closed.

A frame 12 having pivots 13 arranged in opposite edges thereof is mounted for oscillation in the casing 1, one end of said frame,

being seated on a stop 14 when inthe normal 60 position. Said stop projects inwardly fromthe casing 1 as shown in Fig. 3 and is arranged adjacent a helictl spring 15 which connects the casing 1 with the frame 12 and designed to hold the from the frame 12 serves to receive one end of the spring 15 and a hook 17 projectin inwardly from the casing 1 serves to ho d the other end of said spring,

and Iet.

A rotatable member' comprising four radial platforms 18 is mounted on the frame 12 by means of pivots in recesses 20 formed in said frame, the line of direction 'of the axis represented by the pivots 13 lying at right angles to the axis of the pivots 19, ascl'early illustrated in the plan view platforms 18 are permitted to inove in one direction only about the wheel 21, and a spring-pressed pawl 22 serving to accomplish this result. The normal positions of the-revolving platforms 18 are 85 two of the platforms bej as shown 1n Fig. 1, ing horizontaland the-other two vertical; ln order to maintain the platforms in these normal positions a roller 23 is provided on which one edgev of a `platform 128 seats, as 90 shown in Fig. 1. rl`he roller 23 is supported by a swinging bail 24which'is pivoted to `the frame 12 by means of eyelets 25 and d esigned to swing in areoess 26 prvidedvin said frame. l/Vhen the frame 4 normal position the side 'of the roller 23 opposite the portion thereof` which contacts with a revolving platform 18 is in contact with a laterally extending portion 27 provided in the casing 1, roller, 23 from swinging to permit of the passage of a platform,l the relation of these parts vbeing clear by reference to Figs. 1 and 4. y

'lhe operation of Supposing an animal to be attracted to the trap by the bait 6 and to enter the opening provided in the cover of the trap in the di latter normally in convtact with the stop 14e. A hook 16. projecting this construction being clearly illustrated in Figs 19 removably secured 7 5 in Fig.' 3. lThe radial revolving 80 axis 19, a ratchet 12 is in the 95 thus preventing the the Ytrap is as follows:

rection indicated by arrows Weight will first i be imposed upon the end of '.the platform contained therein. It is apparent that whenv the frame 12 is oscillated as before described that the roller 23 is moved to a plane below the projection 27, hence the latter will then A permit of lateral movement of the roller Which Will then cease to support the revolving platform 18 on which the animal is tem porarily supported. The revolving yplatforms 18 revolve in the direction indicated, and cannot move in the other direction, consequently after an animal has fallen into the receptacle 3 it cannot escape, the revolving platforms being locked against rotation after each revolution thereof, by means of `the pawl and ratchet hereinbefore described.,

It Will be seen that this trap is simple and comparatively inexpensive of construction,

that it is extremely sensitive, and that it automatically resets itself after each trapping operation.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect this is capable of variation and modification Without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: f

1. In an animal-trap, an oscillatory frame; a trap member in said frame; ad means on said frame arranged to release said trap member upon oscillation of said frame, substantially as described.

2. In an animal-trap, the combination with a casing having an opening therein, of

` an oscillatory frame mounted. in said opening, a revolving platform mountedl in said frame, means mounted in said frame for locking said platform against rotation, and means for releasing .the platform upon oscillation of said frame, substantially as described. y

8. In an animal-trap, the combination with a casing having an opening therein, of an oscillatory frame mounted in said opening, a revolvingplatform mounted in said frame, means mounted in said frame for vlocking said platform against rotation,

means mounted on said frame whereby said platform is automatically locked -,after a limited rotation thereof and released upon oscillation of said frame, substantially as described. Y

4. In an animal-trap, alrecepi'tacle, a casing supported by said receptacle and having an opening leading thereto, an oscillatory frame pivoted in said opening, r `ilient means connected to said casing for oscillat-V ing sald frame in one direction, a revolving platform mounted in said frame, means for locking said platform against rotation, and means for releasing said platform upon oscillation of said frame against the resistance of said resilient means, substantially as described.

5. In an animal-trap, a receptacle, a casing supported by said receptacle and having an opening leading thereto, an oscillatory frame pivoted in said opening, resilient means connected to said casing for oscillating said frame in one direction, a revolving platform mounted in said frame for rotation in one direction only, and means for releasing said platform when said frame is oscillated against the resistance of said resilient means, substantially as described.

6. In an animal-trap, the combination with a receptacle, of a rectangular casing having a rectangular opening supported by said rece tacle, an oscillatory frame mounted in sai opening, a stop and spring adapted to hold said frame in a normally horizontal position, a rotatable member comprising a plurality of revolving platforms mounted in said frame, means for locking said member against rotation, and means for releasing said member upon oscillation 'of said frame, substantially as described.

7. An animal-trap comprising a receptacle, a casing having an opening supported by said receptacle, an oscillatory frame mounted in said opening, a stop and a helical spring adapted to hold said frame in. a normally horizontal position, a rotatable member comprising four radial platforms spaced at 90 degrees to each other and mounted upon said frame, and a roller suspended on said frame and adapted to lock said member againstl rotation when said frame assumes the horizontal position, said roller being adapted to release said member when said frame is oscillated, substantially as described.

8. An animal-trap comprising a rece tacle, a casing having an opening supporte byl at 90 degrees to each other and mounted l upon said frame. and a roller 'suspendedon' said frame and adapted tol` lock said member f3() against rotation when said frame assumes name to this specification in the presence of tle hoizonta positioi, said rolllr bein two subscribing Witnesses. a apte to re ease sai member W en sai frame is oscillated, and the axis of said VICTOR A' INDAHL' 5 frame lying at right angles to the axis of VVtneSSeS;

said member, substantially as described. HELEN F. LILLIS,

In testimony whereof I have signed my JOSHUA R. H. POTTS. 

